Current Students

Stipends

Most students in the department are supported financially through teaching assistantships. The current basic stipend is $14,800 for a nine-month appointment.  Doctoral students who have passed the Qualifying Examination receive a stipend of $17,800.

Continued Support

Students that are making satisfactory academic progress and are fulfilling their teaching and departmental duties can expect to have continued support.  For M.S. students, this means 4 semesters of support (and one summer). Doctoral students entering with a B.S. degree will be supported for 5 years (4 years if entering with an M.S. degree).  An additional year of support will usually be given if significant progress is being made toward the doctoral thesis.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory academic progress includes maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA, satisfactory course grades (B or better), and passing required examinations in a timely manner.

English Proficiency

International Students who are not sufficiently proficient in English to teach in the classroom in their first year will be given other departmental duties. 

It is expected that the student will demonstrate spoken English proficiency by passing the University's Spoken Language Proficiency Test (SLPT) by the end of the first year.

It is also expected that the student will demonstrate written English proficiency by passing the English Language Placement Test (ELPT), or passing English Language classes determined by their results on the ELPT, by the end of the first year. A student that does not satisfy these requirements is at risk of having the assistantship terminated.

Summer Support

There are usually about 20-25 teaching assistantship positions available in the summer. These will be decided based on the needs of the department.

Graduate Student Handbook

Admitted graduate students are expected to follow the guidelines put forth in the Graduate Student Handbook.

Updated: 5/3/22